Visiting Rio has always been a dream of mine. I’m not even sure why at first, I guess a few things just made it magical in my head:
- The distance – the farther a place, the more exotic and exciting it feels.
- Its presence in the world’s imagination – Carnival, the World Cup, soap operas – you name it.
- One of the New Seven Wonders of the World: the Cristo Redentor statue.
I always knew I’d go, but for a long time, it stayed a dream. Until one day I thought: Why wait? So I quit my job and set off on an epic South American adventure… with almost no plan. Seriously. The only thing I sorted in advance were visas. My rough roadmap: Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and maybe Colombia if I could get it all sorted along the way.
June 6, 2016 – 06.06.16 – was my flight date. Yes, the numbers gave me a tiny pause. Some people called it “the Devil’s date,” and for a few seconds, I even wondered if I should postpone. But honestly, the excitement of finally going to Brazil completely overpowered any superstition. Crossing the Atlantic, that feeling of stepping into the unknown? Absolutely thrilling.
I had only three days in Rio before heading to another city down south. And yes, it rained almost the entire time, except for one perfect day. But the weather didn’t matter. Copacabana, quiet and calm in the off-season, showed me a side of Rio I won’t forget – no crowds, no rush, just the city breathing around me.
The metro, buses, even the newly launched streetcars – all part of the adventure. On rainy days, we explored the museums: Museo de Amanhã and the Museo de Arte. And when the sun finally came out, it was time for the big moment: Cristo Redentor.
Standing there, looking out over the city, it struck me how small we feel in a place so grand – but also how connected you feel to life when you step out of your comfort zone. Lesson learned: showing up, even when conditions aren’t perfect, brings experiences that are bigger than you imagined.
We also wandered through the Botanical Garden, a serene escape with giant palms and calm paths. From there, you could see Corcovado in the distance, the statue almost humble from that angle. It reminded me that perspective matters – sometimes you don’t need to be right on top of a dream to feel its magic.
And yes, Rio has its dangers, but caution doesn’t have to mean fear. With some awareness, walking around central areas and Copacabana, even at night, was fine. Favelas, on the other hand? Definitely a place to approach with guidance. And knowing when not to do something is just as important as the adventure itself.
One of the things that the trip to Rio reminded me of is that life is about embracing all its contrasts: sun and rain, calm and chaos, beauty and challenge. It reminded me that stepping into the unknown is where growth happens. That sometimes, you just have to take the leap.
Since that trip in 2016, I’ve returned to Brazil to explore new corners, discover new lessons, and fall in love with the country all over again. And each time, Rio greets me with the same lesson: the world is bigger than your fears, and life is too short to wait.
